Life Satisfaction and Empathy in Iranian EFL Teachers: A correlational study

Subject Areas :

Roya Hassanpour Souderjani ¹ , Laya Heidari Darani ² , Nafiseh Hosseinpour ³

1 - Department of English, Falavarjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
2 - Department of English, Falavarjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
3 - Department of English, Falavarjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran

Received: 2021-01-04 Accepted : 2021-06-24 Published : 2021-10-01

Keywords: effective teaching, life satisfaction, EFL teachers, empathy,

Abstract :

This study intended to explore Iranian EFL teachers’ life satisfaction as well as their empathy levels. Furthermore, the relationship between Iranian EFL teacher’s life satisfaction and their empathy was investigated. To achieve these objectives, a group of 245 male and female Iranian EFL teachers with the age range of 20 to 55 years old participated. Data were collected through Life Satisfaction and Empathy Questionnaires. Results revealed that EFL teachers were satisfied with their life and were empathic teachers. Moreover, a significant relationship was found between these two variables. The main conclusion is that life satisfaction can have positive impacts on certain aspects of life; hence, it is recommended that proper conditions be provided for the EFL teachers. Additionally, having empathy with students may create happiness in both students and the teacher. Such happiness can presumably make the student bear a positive perspective towards language learning, thereby making them more motivated to learn English.

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